1977 Quebec becomes the first major jurisdiction in the world to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Canada lifts immigration ban on homosexual men.

1981 Approximately 3,000 people march to protest the arrest of more than 300 men at four bath houses in Toronto.

1982 The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the “right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination.” It does not explicitly protect sexual orientation, but, in 1995, the Supreme Court of Canada rules that sexual orientation should be “read in.”

1986 Ontario becomes the second province to include sexual orientation as a protected class under the Human Rights Code.

1987Manitoba becomes the third province to include sexual orientation as a protected class under the Human Rights Code.

1988Canada’s Svend Robinson becomes the country’s first openly gay Member of Parliament.

The United Church of Canada becomes the first church in Canada to allow the ordination of gay and lesbian ministers.

1991The City of Toronto officially proclaims Pride Day for the first time.